While weight and obesity have long concerned
women due to looks and lifestyle issues, it is becoming increasingly
evident that obesity is a matter of health. Obesity
in women can cause serious pregnancy-related complications,
but it is
also a risk factor that can be modified to improve birth outcomes. Adverse outcomes associated with maternal overweight and obesity
includes birth defects, especially neural tube defects, infertility,
labor and delivery complications, fetal and neonatal death,
maternal complications (e.g. hypertension, gestational diabetes,
preeclampsia), and delivery of large-for-gestational-age (LGA)
infants. Research has shown that obesity increases the risk
of adverse outcomes, such as those listed above, for both mother
and baby. Findings suggest that, while obesity may not be an
independent risk factor for PTB (preterm birth), obesity does
increase rates of medical complications (such as hypertension
and diabetes) that have been shown to contribute to PTB. Obesity
and being overweight are associated with a variety of adverse
health outcomes, such as: cardiovascular disease, some types
of cancer, diabetes, stroke, respiratory problems and arthritis.

Weight
Matters - For the Health of Both Mother and Child

Women of childbearing age and their health care providers
should work together to assess and address this important health
issue before, during and after pregnancy. Health care providers
can do the following:

Inform & counsel
women about the health risks associated with overweight and
obesity

Encourage
a healthy diet as outlined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture(Diets
that restrict particular food groups are discouraged, especially
during pregnancy)

Screen
for hypertension and diabetes mellitus in women who are at
risk

For
women who are attempting to or have quit smoking, continue
support to prevent relapse

After Pregnancy (postpartum)

Recommendations for “for ALL women” PLUS the following:

Encourage
breastfeeding

Counsel
women to return to a healthy weight

For
women who are attempting to or have quit smoking, continue
support to prevent postpartum relapse

Obese
women have an increased risk of infertility and pregnancy-related
complications, including hypertension,
gestational diabetes,
and blood clots. Gestational diabetes can also cause the weight
of the baby to rise significantly, increasing the chances of
trauma during birth. Women who are obese are more likely than
women who aren't to require cesarean sections. Obese women
should try to lose weight before becoming pregnant. But it
warned women not to diet during pregnancy, noting that "adequate
nutrition is important for pregnant women and women planning
pregnancy." There are ways to lower calorie intake and
still maintain a healthy pregnancy. Excersize is also a good
way to trim down some extra pounds. A simple walk, sex, and
yoga can help. Try to not over indulge in not so healthy foods
and drinks, such as things containing a haigh amount of sugar.
Not only will this add to weight gain, it will give an increased
risk to diabetes. The idea for the obese women is to replace
her fat with baby and gain a minimum of weight. This will help
her to burn the extra fat off and trim down some with out compromising
the fetus. This also makes losing the weight easier after birth.

Some recent reports suggest that women with
gastric banding can have normal pregnancies and better pregnancy
outcomes than
women who do not have the surgery, but the committee concluded
that "it appears reasonable to recommend that pregnancy
be delayed until surgery-related weight loss has stabilized." It
takes many months and sometimes years to heal appropriately
from gastric bipass surgery. Scheduling surgury years before
want to be pregnant or after delivery is the best option. Regular
weightloss techniques should be used when trying to concieve
and during pregnancy. A healthy diet and an excersize program
approved by a doctor that reduces weight and promotes health
to the mother and baby. Proper prenatal care is also important
to minimize healthy concerns and early treatment of isssues
if they arrise.

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